Spitzer pledges gay marriage legislation

A bill authorizing civil unions for gays cleared its last hurdle today in New Hampshire. New York may be next.

New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer this week pledged to introduce gay marriage legislation in the next few weeks. New Hampshire is the first state to embrace same-sex unions without a court order or the threat of one. New York, Washington, Maine, California and Washington D.C., recognize domestic partnerships.

The New Hampshire Senate passed the bill 14-10 on straight party lines, Democrats in favor, Republicans against.

"To me this legislation is a credit to our state. We're making this move not because some court someplace is telling us that we must," said Democratic Sen. Joe Foster of Nashua. "We do so today because it is the right thing to do."

The bill goes to New Hampshire Gov. John Lynch, who announced last week he will sign it.